United Tribes News

UTTC's Property/Supply Manager David Raymo practices basic fire suppression using the
PASS system, which stands for Pull the pin, Aim the extinguisher, Squeeze the handle,
and Sweep it across the fire source, in this case a small amount of gasoline confined
to a metal bin used during a simulation exercise.

BISMARCK, ND - There's a small but potentially significant gap in the way communities respond
to catastrophic disasters, like a huge tornado or unexpected explosion. Not enough has been
done to prepare people who are on the scene when it happens - regular folks who can do some
good in the time before professionals arrive.

"Basically we're teaching civilians how to respond to an
emergency situation," said Barbara Schmitt, University Center Director at United Tribes
Technical College. "Being able to react to a situation can help fill that gap."

Clad in emergency gear, one of UTTC's CERT teams huddles to plan for their role in the
simulated exercise.

Schmitt is the co-coordinator of UTTC's Community Emergency
Response Team (CERT). The campus community of about 1,000 people located in the greater
Bismarck-Mandan metro area is the first locality in North Dakota to assemble and train such a
team. The training is promoted by the North Dakota League of Cities and is reminiscent of Civil
Defense programs of the Cold War era.

"There's a renewed emphasis on preparedness after 9/11,"
said Schmitt. "The President declared that people should be self-reliant and be able to help
themselves and their neighbors in case of disaster or emergency. The UTTC administration has
taken that seriously."

Co-coordinators of UTTC's Community Emergency Response Training are Barb Schmitt, at
left, and Sharlene Germundson. Team member Mike Stockert at right.

The college recruited and organized 34 staff members from
offices in all buildings on its 105-acre campus into four response teams. Emergency gear such
as hard hats, identifying vests, safety goggles, rubber gloves and other emergency supplies
are kept at the workstations of CERT members for easy access.

Members have attended meetings, viewed videotapes and
received training in search and rescue, first aid, blood-born pathogens, and basic fire
suppression. During a recent training session the teams were timed in their response to
a simulated airplane crash into a building on the college campus, which is adjacent to
the Bismarck airport.

Extracted from a damaged building, team member Anthony Delorme plays the role of
disaster victim during the CERT simulation. Mike Stockert adjusts the bandage as
Jan Whiteman looks on.

"It felt like this was a real situation," said CERT
member Julie Cain, a UTTC counselor. "We have a real need for this. We've already had
tornado warnings here. Who would save us? It wouldn't be our security force, they don't
have enough people."

The simulated exercise was aimed at teaching how to
"do as much good in the least amount of time," said Schmitt. How long it would be before
the arrival of professionals depends on the magnitude of the event.

CERT team member Louis Landreaux stays up-wind of the fire to apply extinguisher retardant.

"In the case of a tornado with major destruction it
might be 24 hours before emergency professionals could get to certain areas," said Lt.
Joey Vandervliet of the Bismarck Fire Department who conducts public safety training and
helped during the UTTC simulation. "Realistically, the time would probably be much shorter
but certainly there'd be a need for self-reliance."

Charmelle Fuchs trains with the fire extinguisher, aided by Lt. Joey Vandervliet
of the Bismarck Fire Department, who conducts public safety training.

While emergency training for lay people in larger
communities has yet to become widespread in North Dakota, it appears that American Indian
communities have the right formula for getting people trained for the unexpected.

"Tribal communities are close knit when it comes to
emergencies," said Vandervliet, who also staffs the ambulance that serves the Standing
Rock Reservation near Bismarck-Mandan. "People there look after each other. And they're
willing to take the time to learn how to do it. It's unbelievable."

Members of the CERT team will store emergency gear at their workstations. At
left Student Health Nurse Suzanne Cadotte and Counselor Julie Cain.

In larger communities there's a tendency to rely on
trained professionals and first responders who are readily available, according to Vandervliet.
Emergency training may be shifting away from community-wide efforts to an emphasis on church
groups, certain businesses and neighborhoods, which have that closer-knit quality found in
tribal communities.

One of the more serious simulated injury victims of the exercise is attended by CERT team members.

UTTC has offered its CERT training free of charge to
tribal entities. The college organizes the sessions in partnership with local emergency
agencies such as fire departments and EMTs. Training has already been provided at
Sisseton-Wahpeton and Spirit Lake. A future session is planned at Fort Berthold.